More waste at MCC

To the Editor:

McHenry County College recently hired a $50,000 consultant to justify a new $42 million “health sciences facility.” This is the second study by this consultant for this project.

MCC already has a health sciences program, but they claim the expanded program will have 1,400 new students and be self-supporting. But Bureau of Labor Statistics figures show there are fewer health care jobs in McHenry County today than in 2009. There are only about 200 health care job openings each year for junior college graduates. Training students for jobs that won’t exist is a cruel hoax!

MCC has many empty classrooms right now, yet this unneeded building will cost $350 a square foot and almost 30 percent is for a big fancy health club. With more than 20 health clubs in McHenry County, why should taxpayers subsidize another one at the junior college? MCC’s own optimistic projections show this project won’t be self-supporting. Taxpayers will be on the hook for the $42 million mortgage.

MCC plans to use a loophole to sell tax-backed bonds without a referendum, the same kind Lakewood used for their infamous golf course. All MCC needs is a consultant willing to reach their pre-determined conclusion. The consultants they hired have a vested interest in approving the project because they want the construction and operating contracts – they are not independent.

MCC is buying another marketing presentation and passing it off as a feasibility study.

Taxpayers, you get the government you vote for. Remember this next April.